2005 Ford Freestyle AWD

Pros: Passenger and cargo room, seats fold easily, airy cabin, quick well-weighted steering
Cons: Engine noisy and underpowered, interior ambiance dull

Ford has been on the ropes for the last few years, and seemed to lack the imagination to create innovative enough products to turn things around. Sure, the new F-150 is a thoroughly executed product, but it’s far from exciting. It’s not going to ...

Pros: Economical, good mileage, fun to drive, seats five kids, groceries, low center of gravity.
Cons: Quirky convenience features design, donut tire and undersized wheel well, carpet/tacking seem cheap.

Wednesday, January 18, 2006 Review of my Ford Freestyle, the wagon version of the Ford 500. (After 3,000 miles of driving.) I begrudgingly write this mostly positive review for my 2005 Ford Freestyle. I say begrudgingly because I didn’t really ...

Pros: 20+mpg, AWD, Fold down seats, volvo safety
Cons: Crossbars extra, some options only on limited. strange seating limitations, strange size tires.

We traded our 2001 Ford Windstar up to the 2005 Freestyle limited. If you read our review of the Windstar, you will note that one of the main reasons for purchase is that the adjustable pedals allowed my 5' wife to reach the pedals comfortably while ...

Pros: Interior space. AWD system. Silent ride while cruising. Custom build options that YOU want.
Cons: Missing cross-bars, slight underpowering of engine, poor sound system quality with base model.

Had an AWD SE for an extended test drive (overnight). Going to purchase the SEL AWD shortly. Moving from the Honda CR-V to make more room for the growing family. Initial impressions. Sparse interior decor. Doesn't really stand out although it ...

Pros: Room, interior, ride
Cons: A little underpowered, but nothing major

My wife and I bought our 2005 Freestyle Limited AWD new, as we were expecting our second child. We picked up almost all the options (I can't remember if nav was an option in 2005, but we don't have nav, regardless; also did not get the DVD player). ...

Pros: A no-nonsense American car, good-looking, reliable, minimal maintenance, comfortable to drive
Cons: MPG will be diminished with AWD and running the A/C; turning radius could be tighter

Normally, I wait for a debut model to prove itself on the road and garner a reputation. However, after a test drive, I was impressed enough to take my chances. Thus far, all the same reasons for buying the Freestyle last year are still valid. I've not ...

Pros: comfortable seating, roomy, plenty of cup holders/chargers, decent mpg vs seating, good visibility
Cons: needs a better sound system

When I first read about the Ford Freestyle a few years ago I was very curious but also cautious. I was an entirely new style for Ford. It's engine was completely new and it's frame would be completely new as well. Usually with anything new, especially ...

Pros: Handles well, transmission smooth, lots of space for people and cargo, not a mini-van
Cons: Cheap interior, below average ergonomics, not very exciting

I'll skip all the background info on the car. You can do the research yourself. You probably have already. If you want to hear from an owner (not someone who simply test drove one) about what they like and what they don't like about the Freestyle, read ...

Pros: AWD,CVT,Traction Control,Space,and ride.
Cons: needs Homelink system, engine noisy on full acceleration

We bought the SEL,AWD with all the options. We are extremely happy with the vehicle. Power is more than adequate. The CVT transmission works great and the vehicle accelerates as needed with no problems. with a full load of cargo and people never felt underpowered even going up steep hills. The AWD and Traction control worked to perfection in a road with ice where all vehicles were sliding we went by with no problems and through a snow covered road the same result.The Freestyle is comfortable and spacious.It rides like a luxury car (we traded a Jaguar). This wagon handles like a car and is smooth and quiet under normal driving. At highway speeds is more quiet inside than the Jaguar. Seats are comfortable and has plenty of cargo space.

Pros: Great versatility, highly functional, great road manners.
Cons: Due to no mudguard option, side sills get dirty quickly, especially in varied terrain situations.

We purchased our 2005 Limited Freestyle in August 2005. We've been on a few long trips with it all ready and I must say we are quite pleased with this vehicle. It’s sure footed on the roads, and provides better then average gas mileage. It contains a high degree of versatility with a low degree of compromise. Although it's not as powerful as a V6 sports sedan as discussed in some on-line forums, it has more then adequate power, especially vs. conventional SUV's, pickups or minivans. The engine responds confidently when summoned thanks to the CVT transmission. The storage compartments are quite useful. It possesses great value at under $35K with traction control, AWD, heated/power seats/mirrors, dual climate control, leather, 18' wheels, monochromatic rear mirror, reverse sensing system, MP3 player, seat memory, keypad entry, airbags all around, 3rd row seating, sunroof, message center, auto head lights, and a roof rack to name a few. I recommend this car not only to families, but active outdoor lifestyle individuals who demand versatility, functionality and value.

Pros: Excellent combination of performance and economy, comfortable and functional interior.
Cons: Limited AC, does not reach the back.

I have the car about 15 months and 40K miles. No mechanical problems and the car is great. With the AWD I can go in mud, sand, and snow with ease. The car has good acceleration and mileage (if I dive carefully 23MPG highway). As a photographer I can haul 7 people, or lower the seats and carry enormous quantity of gear.

Because the car and transmission is new, I bought the maximum Ford extended warranty. The car has not been in the shop at all but for the regular maintenance.

The car is very functional and I am nothing but please with my choice of car.

Pros: Space, DVD Player, Climate Control system, 3rd Row flexibility, plentiful compartments
Cons: DVD Player sight lines, hard plastic dash, 3rd row windows don't open

One week in and the freestyle has been a great replacement for our SUV. Gas mileage is better, interior quality is the same, the navigation system works great. I do think the amenities are good but not great...otherwise, we couldn't be happier.

Pros: Comfortable Cross over vehicle.
Cons: Poor MPG, Quality control

I now have 15k miles on my 2005 Freestyle Limited AWD. It wore out the tires at 5500 miles. Found that the Vehicle arrived from the factory with toe in exactly opposite from specs. Ford corrected the problem and I had to pay $62.00 for wear on the tires. Now, I just learned today that the
left rear strut is broken. No reason for this to have happened, it just broke. Now I have to wait for parts to arrive at dealer for repairs. I am disappointed. I returned to an American Manufacturer out of loyalty to the
Made in the USA brand only to experience this quality control problem. Ford did replace the tires with like kind and the $62.00 was for 5500 miles use. Now I can only wait and wonder what is next to break.

I have praise for my local dealer. They have been awesome in responding .

Would I buy another Ford?????????